He was far from his best, which means that the best of what LeBron James has to offer will arrive at some point in the Cavaliers’ series against the Raptors.

Perhaps as early as Thursday’s Game 2.

James missed five three throws on six trips to the line in Cleveland’s 113-112 victory over the Raptors Tuesday night. He made only one shot from beyond the three-point line on eight attempts, missing 18 shots overall in Game 1.

And despite it all, he managed to produce a triple-double before the Air Canada Centre crowd.

Remarkably, James recorded more than half of Cleveland’s assist total, while turning the ball over only once during a game-high 46 minutes and 56 seconds. So much for feeling burnt out following an epic seven-game series versus the Pacers.

Raptors rookie OG Anunoby did as good a job to start this series as you can possibly produce in containing James, who was once again the beneficiary of some non-calls that clearly should have been made.

Anunoby and Pascal Siakam took turns defending James, at times picking him up in the full court. And, at the end of a wild and stunning night of playoff basketball, James was asked to lock down Toronto star guard Kyle Lowry.

There was only one lead change and at no point during regulation did the Cavs fashion an advantage, trailing by as much as 14 points.

This Cavs team has its flaws. But, this group — especially the veteran core — is resilient.

Cleveland was held to 41.2% shooting and was outrebounded in Game 1, but the Cavs made five more three-pointers and were a plus-17 in points scored off turnovers.

Everyone was quick to cite the Raptors’ lack of offence down the stretch, the missed open looks by Fred VanVleet, the put-backs that wouldn’t drop by Jonas Valanciunas. However, more than anything, it was Toronto’s carelessness with the basketball that doomed them — not to mention a costly five-second violation when the home side failed to inbound the ball.

With 7:39 left in regulation, the Raptors led, 96-89. They managed to produce nine points to close out the fourth quarter, including five points in the final five minutes.

In the extra five-minute period, the Cavs outrebounded the Raptors by three. Of the three OT makes by the Cavs, two came from distance, one each by J.R. Smith and Kyle Korver. James missed all four of his attempts.

LeBron James will be better because that’s what LeBron James does. He raises his level as the stakes get higher. The Cavs smell blood and they realize how fragile the Raptors are in the wake of a Game 1 meltdown.

By losing Game 1 on their home floor, the Raptors, realistically, must now win two of the next three games or this series is effectively over, no ifs, ands or buts. Thursday is a must-win.

For the Cavs, Game 2 is a must have because the longer this series goes the better the odds stack in Toronto’s favour because of home court.

One must believe that Kevin Love will be better, offensively speaking. In Game 1, Love missed 10 shots on 13 attempts, including a 1-for-4 night from distance, but he did haul down a team-high 13 rebounds.

Love started Game 1 at centre as the Cavs went small, a lineup that allowed Jonas Valanciunas to run wild in the paint and on the boards. Valanciunas began to be contained when Tristan Thompson was inserted.

“It means a lot,” began Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue. “To have five guys in double figures. Kevin and LeBron shooting 15 for 43 (combined), our two all-stars.

“It just shows you that guys step up and play well. J.R. was five for six from three, including a big three in front of their bench. Guys have to continue to keep stepping up.”

For James, advancing out of the Eastern Conference has become a rite of passage, the King eyeing his eighth consecutive appearance in the NBA final, a remarkable run that began when he took his act to South Beach.

James isn’t that assassin in the mould of a Michael Jordan or a Kobe Bryant, but he knows the Raptors are vulnerable and the kill shot must be delivered Thursday night.

ROOM TO GROW

The Cavaliers know they have to be better Thursday.

Head coach Tyronn Lue made no bones about it when he stepped to the podium following Game 1 and spoke about how his Cavs stole the game.

To hear veteran sharpshooter Kyle Korver tell it, the Pacers and the grind of a seven-game series in the opening round prepared the Cavs for the battle with the Raptors.

“We’ve talked a lot about the last series and what that might have done for us in this series,’’ said Korver, who scored 19 points Tuesday night. “We didn’t know before and we understand that we have to play a certain way if want to win in the playoffs. Its grinding basketball.

“We have to play hard, we have to grind, we have to hit and we have to be the aggressor. And all that feeds into a mentality of just not giving up and just keep on fighting to win. We know that we have the best closer (in LeBron James), if we can keep it close to the end and he’s going to take over, he’s going to make plays.

“We kept our composure. We were fortunate, though, they had some tip-ins at the end there; they had a couple of looks. We had some looks as well but I think overall we feel good about the win, but I think we were also very fortunate to win.”

Like they say, it’s not how but rather how many. And, regardless of what plays out Thursday in Game 2, at worst will return home to Quicken Loans Arena with a split.

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